[worried_mom]

I take my son in today for the results of all his blood tests, MRI on neck, and echocardiogram. Dr switched him from Amitriptyline to Lorazepam last week. He's still having the cardiac symptoms: racing heart, high resting heart rate, chest pain all with no apparent catalyst. He can't get comfortable to sleep: his head hurts so much worse the last few days, his stomach hurts, can't look at video games (has been playing for months), his back hurts and esp his spine (to the touch and he says it's hard just to hold himself up!).

I am worried that they found something and worried that they didn't and will tell me it's all "in his head".

Will post an update after visit. Mostly just venting at this point.

[Ziggo]

My heart was beating fast for first 2 months, it still does time to time when i exercise or do something wrong. I wasnt able to even look at pc or tv then, now i can watch tv or play video games all day long.

Heart rate can get only high again if i drink or smoke which i aint gonna do yet.
I assume your son isnt doing none of em and wont so he should get better with time. My stomach has hurted time to time nothing special, USG showed nothing. I vomited just twice, and ice tea, tea not food.

[HeadStrong]

Hi Worried Mom,
Just wanted to wish you and your son well today and hope you get some good news. Please keep us posted.

[worried_mom]

Blood tests were all "normal". Neck MRI was "perfect". Still waiting on cardiologist to finish reading echo.

Nathan has been goofy as hell on Lorazepam so they're stopping that and giving him Prozac. Nothing to sleep with. He's been medicated for sleep for 3.5 months and still struggles with meds to sleep.

This is all so frustrating.

[Mark in Idaho]

I am glad to hear they are taking him off the Lorazepam. I am surprised they prescribed the older Prozac. Maybe they have more experience with Prozac with adolescents since it has been on the market for so much longer.

Did they test his B-12, Folate and vit D levels?

How about his adrenal functions?

Sounds like they are looking hard to find the cause of his symptoms.

Try to relax and be patient. It is also very frustrating for him and your stress and frustration is likely obvious to him. I know it is difficult, especially with a mother's heart.

My best to you.

[worried_mom]

the blood tests included WBC, hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelet count, electrolyte balance, kidney function, liver function, glucose, TSH, Vit D, Vit B-12, cortisol, and prolactin. and a UA was normal as well.

I'm not confident giving him the Prozac, takes weeks to get in, weeks to get out. Won't know if he's better naturally. And no idea on sleep. 10mg melatonin?

[Mark in Idaho]

I doubt the Prozac is intended to treat his PCS symptoms. More likely to treat anxiety and depression to allow him to relax so he can sleep better. It starts to take effect immediately but continues to increase in effect over the next 2 to 6 weeks. During this time, it is good to be watchful of him and even better, to have a professional assessing or helping you assess his mental condition. The young brain can be more reactive to SSRI's.

Having been through the thought processes symptomatic of concussion during these ages, I fully understand what can go on inside the injured mind. The Prozac can provide a good benefit as long as he is properly monitored.

What were his B-12, folate, and vit D levels?

Many doctors and labs use very wide ranges as normal. The injured brain need to be at higher levels near or even above the top of the normal range.

After my concussion in 1996, I became very sensitive to any kind of changes and toxins.

I hope you can get some useful understand of what the doctors are up to.

My best to you

[worried_mom]

his Vit B-12 was at 559 and Vit D was 52.

[Mark in Idaho]

His B-12 is low. It should be closer to 1000, especially for a compromised brain. Get him some B-12 supplements, maybe B-12 drops for sub-lingual administration.

I guess they did not do a folate test.

My best to you.

[EsthersDoll]

My neurologist recommended that I take b-12 in a shot but since no one in my life can administer the shot for me, she said that a sublingual supplement is the second best way to take it.

She recommended that I buy the sublingual tablets that Trader Joe's sells. (Personally, I didn't like those, so I got a liquid one at Whole Foods.)